IPCC probes dead model police links

A 29-year-old model stabbed to death in an apparent domestic incident had contact with police before she died, it has been revealed.

Linah Keza was killed in a knife attack at her home in King Edward Road, Leyton, east London, on Wednesday.

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which will look at what contact police had with her and a 38-year-old man who has been arrested over her death.

Police were called by ambulance crews to Ms Keza's home at around 4.30am and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ms Keza, who was registered with the AMC Agency, was reportedly a contestant in Miss Africa 2010.

An AMC Agency spokesman said: "Today is a very sad day for our agency as we have had the sad news that one of our models, Linah Keza, has passed away in very tragic circumstances. She was very compassionate, amazing and a professional girl. Everybody that met and worked with her via the agency will miss her greatly."

More than 1,000 people joined a tribute page set up on Facebook. Belinah Elsie posted: "We loved you and we will always remember you. Thanks for the moments we shared and for the memorable days."

The man who was arrested is currently being questioned at a police station in north London. A post-mortem examination took place at Walthamstow Mortuary, with stab wounds to the chest found to be the cause of death.

Patrice Shema, chairman of the Rwandan Community in London, said: "We still can't believe that Linah is gone. You see these things on television but when it happens to you and it's a close friend, that's when the reality hits home. Linah has been a very active member of our community. She was such a wonderful girl, very happy, passionate about modelling."

Born in Uganda, the mother-of-one moved to Rwanda as a teenager and came to the UK more than 10 years ago. The University of Wolverhampton graduate had a three-year-old daughter.